KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 24 -- Haze pushed air quality to hazardous levels in parts of the country this year, with the Air Pollutant Index (API) peaking at 519 in six areas of Sarawak on September 1.

Readings above 300 are classified as hazardous, while those recorded across parts of Peninsular Malaysia in October, including Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan and Johor, mostly ranged from 101 to 210, within the unhealthy category.

While haze is commonly associated with respiratory and cardiovascular problems, medical experts say it can also affect the skin and eyes.

How haze affects skin and eyes

Medical specialist Dr Norafiza Mohd Yasin said PM2.5 particles, which measure 2.5 microns in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and ...